Page 41 (1/2)

Lucy opened the carriage door "It’sto see her in the gloo to travel this late at night? Eh? Must’ve gone hwaymen about, or doesn’t he know that?"

Lucy descended the carriage steps with the help of a footman "He isn’t with me"

"Mad," her father repeated "The ht Bounder!"

She felt a contrary urge to defend Simon "He didn’t have a say in it I’ve left him"

Mrs Brodie’s eyes widened "I’ll make tea, shall I?" She turned and hurried into the house

Papa el Keeps a el will do next No doubt good for hio hohed She was tired to her bones, tired to her soul "I’ood"

"What? What?" Her father looked alarmed for the first time "Now see--"

"Jaysus, don’t anybody sleep around here?" Hedge ca froreasy tricorne He caught sight of Lucy and stopped dead "Is she back already? Thought we just got her packed off the place"

"I’e," Lucy said "Perhaps we can continue this conversation inside, Papa?"

"That’s right," Hedge muttered "I’ve been here nearly thirty years--the best years of my life, too--and does anyone care? No, they do not I’m still not to be trusted"

"See to the horses, Hedge," Papa ordered as they went inside

Lucy heard Hedge groan "Four big beasties My back’s not good" Then the door closed behind them

Papa led the way into his study, a roo Papa’s study was his own domain; even Mrs Brodie wasn’t allowed to clean it Not, at least, without a lot of fussing first Papa’s great oak desk was placed at an angle to the fire, too close really, as was attested by the blackened wood on the leg nearest the hearth The surface of the desk was obscured by piles of colorful maps They were held in place by a brass sexton, a broken coth of rope To the side of the desk was an enorlobe of the world on its own stand

"Now, then," her father started

Mrs Brodie bustled in with a tray of tea and buns

Papa cleared his throat "Best see if there’s soood steak and kidney pie left from dinner, Mrs Brodie, if you will"

"I’ pale, poppet Steak and kidney pie do you good, eh?" He nodded at the housekeeper

"Yes, sir" Mrs Brodie hurried out

"Now, then," Papa began again "What’s happened that you’ve co home to your father?"

Lucy felt her cheeks heat Put like that, her actions sounded childish "Simon and I have had a difference of opinion" She looked down as she carefully pulled her gloves off, one finger at a ti that I cannot agree with"

Papa sla her and the papers lying there jump "Cad! Hasn’t beenwith ladies of low repute Ha! When I get my hands on that bounder, that scoundrel, thatthat rake, I’ll see him horsewhipped--"

"No, oh, no" Lucy felt a bubble of hysterical laughter well up inside her "That’s not it at all"

The door opened and Mrs Brodie caain She looked sharply at the two of them She must’ve heard their voices in the hall, but she didn’t say anything She set her tray on a table at Lucy’s elbow and nodded "Have a bite of that, Miss Lucy It’ll make you feel better I’ll have the fire laid in your old bedroo for an answer, the housekeeper bustled out

Lucy looked at the tray There was a slice of cold meat pie, a bowl of stewed fruit, a bit of cheese, and some of Mrs Brodie’s fresh bread Her stomach rumbled She’d declined supper at an inn on the way hory until now She picked up a fork

"Then what is it?"

"Hmm?" Mouth full of tender pie, Lucy didn’t want to think about Sio to bed

But Papa was stubborn when he wanted to be "Why’d you leave theon with soiled doves?"

"Duels" Lucy sed "Simon has killed four men already In duels He calls them out and then kills the himself slowly, even if he survives the encounters He won’t listen to me, won’t stop, so I left hiravy, and suddenly felt nauseous

"What for?"

"What?"

Papa scowled "Why’s he killing these fellows? Don’t like your husband, never have and, make no bones about it, probably never will But he doesn’t strike me as a loony Popinjay, yes; loony, no"

Lucy al the men responsible for his brother, Ethan’s, death, and I knohat you’re going to say, Papa, but however noble the reason, it’s still murder and a sin in the Bible My conscience can’t abide it, and I don’t think Siruhter"

Lucy bit her lip This wasn’t how she’d i to pound, and apparently her father wanted an argument "I didn’t mean--"

"I know I know" He waved away her apology "You didn’t mean to insult your old pater But the fact is you did Think all el?"